New Years for Teachers

Getting ready for the new school year is under way. I spend the day in technology training learning new things to teach my fellow teachers. By night, I plan. I rearrange my room, write lesson plans, review last years successes and failures. I do all this in my head. Tomorrow night I will start over. This is an exciting time of year. New years eve for a teacher. This is when we start over, make resolutions, and plans. I will do this better this year or I will avoid that.
Every year I do a week long unit about the Multiple Intelligences. It is based around a different theme each year. I am enjoying planning.

It is also a new year for my second job as building Technology Mentor. The mentor team is training this week. We have been learning about Open Office. A free open source software that can be downloaded at http://www.openoffice.org/ I am asking myself, "why have I waited so long to try this. It is easy to use and better yet FREE. The Writer is similar to Word. It even makes some tasks much easier and more intuitive. It is worth checking out.

To all you teachers out there. Happy New Years!! Enjoy this time of new beginnings. May we all learn from our mistakes and build on our strengths as we venture on a new adventure with a new group of fresh faces.

Workshop Exploring Time

Please take 10 minutes to explore this list of blogs, It is a great resource that is constantly being updated.

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Blogging Workshop

Blogsjuly16

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Smart Table

I was just asked how our District could afford to buy a Smart table. The Smart Table was sent to us as part of a SEED program with Smart. I applied in the fall and was chosen this spring. The table arrived at the end of the school year. we had a week for the students to try it out before the school year ended. I will be creating content throughout the summer and sending it to Smarttech. I believe the plan is to have content listed by subject area available for download, similar to how it is done for Smart Notebook. Here is a newspaper article that helps explain.

I will be creating content throughout the summer and sending it to Smarttech. I believe the plan is to have content listed by subject area available for download, similar to how it is done for Smart Notebook.

Another question that I was asked is "how do you create content?"
The Smart Table comes with Smart table toolkit software for your other computers. You can create content on any computer, download it to the included key drive bracelet and upload it into the Smart table.
I hope this answers your questions. Have a great evening. We have sun here in Binghamton and I am heading back out to enjoy it.:)

PhotoStory - Digital Photography in the Classroom

Photo Story 3 is easily the simplest photo slide show software I have used. Students can easily create multimedia presentations on their own with the wizard like interface. Despite the ease of use many teachers don't realize that it is available as a free download for Window's users. My students use it quite often. We use it to commemorate classroom events such as debates, student teacher greetings or student goodbyes. We also make photo essay dictionaries. We do this by taking pictures of items such as geometric shapes and angles, adding text and recording voices that define each term.

I have recently had some students successfully create claymation slide shows showing scientific processes. I am re posting this the following tutorial upon request.
I hope you find it helpful.

Here is a quick tutorial:

First you import pictures. When you click on import pictures the program will open your "My Pictures" file.

Select pictures

Add text. Students love to choose from the many colors and fonts.

Record your voice. You can record a different voice on each slide.

Create your own music or import your own. My students love to create their own music. They can choose from several styles, speeds, moods and instruments.

It is easy to use and a great deal of fun. Try for yourself, but be careful you may get hooked. Have fun.

Technology Central

I have been very remiss in updating this blog during the last year. I have been having so much fun keeping up with our districts technology that I have been lacking time. This has been a great year in the Binghamton City School District. Ever classroom now has a Smart Board. Many also have Smart Response. We also have a new website program. I spend a a lot of time this year working with other teachers and providing staff development.
Now I will spend some of my summer having fun creating content for my new Smart Table.
It is so exciting to be a part of this fast paced growth in technology within the district. I am hoping to use this blog once again to share what I learn.

Blogwikiworkshop

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Ever wonder how you can use a Wiki to collaborate with other teachers?

Thanks to the folks at common craft who have made Wikis in Plain Engish, you can see for yourselves. In the video a group of people are using the wiki to plan a camping trip. Just think how you could use this technology in a similar way to collaborate on a grant, a book study, or to plan a special project

Blogging in Plain English

Thanks to Common Craft. These folks make it so clear.